Resilient wheel



Jan-.-15 1924. Y mamas Y J.' L. LUCE ET AL RESILIENT WHEEL Fiied 'March v. 1923 Patented dan. l5, i924.

JOSEPH L. LUCE AND RAYMOND P. LUCE, OF BELLE VERNON, PENNSYLVANIA.

RESILENT WHEEL Application filed March 7' To all whom t may concern Be it known that we, Josnrrr L. LUCE and RAYMOND l?. LUCE, citizens .of the United States, residing at Belle Vernon, in the county of Fayette and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Resilient Wheels. which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in resilient wheels for use with automobiles, aeroplanes, or other vehicles, and has for its object to provide a simpieand cih ient construction in the manner hereinafter described.

The principal object in view is to construct a simple and substantial resilient wheel of economical cost. capable of absorbing the usual shocks of impact and use, utilizing flexible spring spokes to provide for yielding movement of the hub with relation to the rim or tire. either with or without a resilient shoe, as preferred.

The invention is an improvement in that class of resilient wheelsI disclosed in patent of Bohannon No. 1,345,327 of July 6, 1920.

rlhe principal objects in view herein are to provide for simple and eicient connection between the outer terminals of the resilient spokes and the rim member, by use of a slotted bearing sleeve construction, adapted to be incorporated with the rim member and to provide an intervening bearing therein for the spoke terminals.

In the drawings, illustrating one preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. l is a partial view of a wheel in side elevation, constructed according to our invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross section thereof on the line IL-H of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view in perspective, showing a portion of the rim member;

Fig. 4 is a similar View.,y showing the slotted bearing tube detached; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view showing a retaining plate for the mounting members.

In the drawings, the hub member 2, which may be of any suitable construction, is provided with an annular series of sockets 2a, extending transversely across and around the periphery of the hub, each having outwardly or radially disposed openings 2b, for insertion and clearance of the inner body portion of the spokes 4.

The rim 7, as shown, is of channel form in cross section, with the ianges 8 extending inwardly and providing` mounting supports for the outer ends of the spokes 4. Any suitable rim construction 6 may be attached to the outer portion of the main rim member, as will be readily understood.

The flanges 8 of the maink rim member 7 are provided with oppositely located circular openings 9, inwardly apertured for clearance of the spokes, as at 10 openings 9 constituting equally spaced pairs around the entire rim member, through the flanges thereof, and radially ccrrespondingto the hub sockets 2a.

For the purpose of providing a continuous bearing member for the outer rounded end portions of the spokes, a tube 3 is tightly fitted within each pair of openings 9, and secured therein by brazing, riveting, welding, or otherwise. Each such tube 3 is provided with an inwardly openino' clearance snace l0 corres ondinfr to b L b clearance l0, for the spokes 4. rihe outer rcunded ends 4" of the spokes snugly intert within the cavity of the tube 3, at one side and the other, as in F ig. 2, providing bearings for each oppositely bowed spoke 4. forming members of each associated pair of spokes. The width of the spokes, as shown, is less than the entire width of the rim, and the spokes are spaced apart at the middle and inwardly from each outeredge, which space is occupied by the several thimbles or washer members 5-55.

The outermost of such thimbles 5 are secured in position by any suitable means, as by riveting over the ends of tubes 3, whereby to ixedly locate the spokes'in position and prevent their accidental removal. Alternatively, a plate l1 may be laid over the outermost faces of the flange members 8, and screwed thereon, retaining the spokes in the same manner, as in Fig. 5.

As thus constructed, the entire series of spokes 4 are mounted inthe hub member and also the rim member in such a manner as to provide for ample latitude of motion in action, with the slight rotation of the cylindrical spoke terminals, and especially in the rim member where the spoke terminals are mounted within the cylindrical interior of the tubes 3. By the use of such tubes, there is provided, not only a snug embracing engagement with the outer ends of the spoke members, but the further advantage of providing continuous even bearggg 1,481? 13S ing 'for the lull width of is secured.

il iur-ther advantage is in the ease with which the. construction ad-pts itselit to the application and retention er a suitable lubricant, While at the saine tinie being capable oi easy removal and insertion ot the spoke ineinbers troni either side7 in case of breakage and necessary renewal.

rlhe crnistruction7 operation and admin et the invention will be readily apiireciated 'from the toren-eine* description. `'lie construetinn admits eli the use or' spoke ef the kind disclosed, ol standard sizes as lo spokes and tubes; any desired arrangenient oil the cavities depending on the cae pacity of the Wheel and the load to be carried; and the construction avoids the necessit of transverse seciiiring bolts or rivets, or of additional supplemental parts.

The number. arrangement, size and design of the various nienibers or the Whe-el may be changed by the skilled niecl anic to adapt the improvement to varying conditions of use7 and all such changes are to be considered as Within the scope 'E the fok lening claims.

lllhat We claim is:

i. ln a resilient Wheel of the character described the combination with a socketed hub, or an outer annular riin having inwardly extending flanges each provided with annular series of inwardly open circular sockets. inwardly open cylindrical bearing tliiinbles in said sockets, and corresponding series of spokes having rounded terminals seated in said thirnbles.

Q. ln a resilient Wheel ot' the character described, the con'ibination with a soeketed hub, of an outer annular rim having inwardly extending 'flanges each provided each smilie nieniber nari i5 sa; inlinbles and proand securing inenibers. n ith a channel shaped inwardly extending iilar series or op- 50 circular es na fing ineunt- Vins the rini 'l'lanr The ceinl annul.A 'flanges projncfitely leent L open 4 Nets` cylindrical bea*- ng thinibles having inwardljif' disposed longitudinal slots inounted by their ends in said sockets, a series or dat nxetal spokes haring their ends bent into cylindrical terminals and seated `within the several 'thinibles with the ilat spoke extend ingr through the thinible slots and in register with the inwardly open clearance portions oi the rini flanges, Land'lioldin;- devices on the iianges engaging the ends Ot the bearing;` thiinbles preventing' endwise nioreinent thereof.

ln testimony Wliereef We hereunto alii? our signatures.

JOSEPH L. LUCE. RAYMOND P. LUCE.

el shaped fitness i Lron A. TRILL. 

